Testimonials: Technology

Vision technology is changing the face of manufacturing. Eliminating mechanical processes means flexible, fully automated solutions that increase productivity and reduce costs. Thanks to identification and traceability programs manufacturers can now track products from cradle to grave. Vision guided robotics have made robotic solutions deployable in places that before were not possible. With advances in sensor technology, the Cognex Checker replaces traditional sensors for multiple detection applications.

PickMaster™, a productivity enhancing concept for high speed picking applications was developed by ABB Robotics and is based on Cognex vision technology.

The rapid spread of robot technology worldwide proves that vision guided robotic solutions are the key to higher productivity, better economics and higher product quality. Industrial vision technology provides a wide range of ABB robots with "eyes" to see where the part is located and accurately place them in precise positions at the same time performing extensive quality inspection.

Henril Knobel, Product ManagerABB

Cognex In-Sight is the driving force behind the first fully integrated tray inspection system combining machine vision with automatic tray handling for the pharmaceutical industry. It was developed by Clarke Engineering Services Inc. (CES) who chose In-Sight for accuracy, reliability, and performance.

Cognex tools were more robust for this application than the other vision tools we evaluated, and the powerful preprocessing filters helped us achieve the desired inspection results. The Cognex vision tools provided the most robust solution.

Chris Clarke, PresidentCES

At Ford in the UK, steel road wheels are inspected using an In-Sight and PC based vision system for weld quality and position. Road wheels are formed from a continuous strip of steel that is formed, rolled and welded. The vision systems ensure that the weld is unbroken and valve holes are punched away from the weld line.

We believe the potential application for PatMax technology throughout Ford to be enormous. Much of what Ford manufacturing plants do worldwide is insert and remove parts from containers. With the high cost of fixturing, and the inability to fixture such items as "as-cast" engine blocks, the ability to automatically locate and robotically grip un-fixtured parts may prove to be one of the most significant tools as manufacturing moves into the next century.